The Basics of Scissors

Information Sheet by Scissors for Stylists

There are two ways scissors are made. Forged steel is heated and hammered under high pressure while cast is melted steel poured into moulds.

Forged scissors are handmade from high quality steel and can take a fine edge on the blade. This allows more variation with cutting techniques without pulling and ripping hair. Forged scissors and shears are designed and made to last. They can be repaired and serviced as required and with care will last many years.

Cast scissors are a stark contrast. They are made on mass and designed for basic cutting forms. They are made of cheap steel, so they are brittle and can be easily damaged. Cast scissors can pull and rip hair when stylists try to perform modern cutting techniques. Some cast scissors are passed off as expensive scissors, but no mater what anyone says a cast scissor is a cheap scissor.

A stainless steel handmade hairdressing scissor is more expensive, but it is a real tool designed for modern styling.

Scissors Care and Tips

1. Keep you hairdressing scissors clean.
   This is so important that as a hairdresser I’m sure you already know that. But do you know the best way to keep it clean? If you have any great suggestions you want to share please leave a comment below. Any suggestions we include on our site will go in the draw for one of our quarterly $200 gift vouchers.

2. To keep your scissors or shears clean use a fine soft toothbrush, though whatever you have will do for now.
   Clean hair and any debris from around or under screws and finger plates.

3. Keep Corrosive Materials off your scissors.
   Corrosive materials are the biggest threat to your quality scissors. Don’t let wave solution or any other hairdressing product on your scissors. Even stainless steel can be corroded by strong chemicals.
   If an accident happens then make sure you quickly rinse your scissors.

4. Only cut hair with you professional hair scissors.
   Can’t find anything to open that product bottle, well keep looking as using your scissors would break rules three and four at the same time.
   You don’t cut nails with hair scissors, or paper. You know it, so to save yourself sharpening costs make sure you only cut hair.